3 Palestinians, Israeli soldier injured in Qalandiya clashes

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Three Palestinian youths were severely injured during clashes between Israeli forces and locals at Qalandiya refugee camp between Ramallah and Jerusalem early Friday.

Local sources told Ma'an that dozens of youths threw rocks and empty bottles at Israeli forces when they raided the camp.

One youth was struck in the head when Israeli sources opened fire on the youths, while another two were hit in the stomach, the sources added.

Mustafa Aslan, 20, was in critical condition at the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem while Mohammed Shehada, 21, was being treated in Ramallah.

Witnesses described the clashes as "violent," saying that Israeli forces chased the youths in the alleyways of the camp shooting bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear-gas bombs and sound bombs at them.

The Israeli military confirmed the raid in a statement, adding that a soldier "was injured lightly by a grenade tossed directly at the troops."

Forces subsequently responded "with live fire and used riot dispersal means to address the disturbances onsite," the statement added.